Gotta Gotta Cut Loose

Well, in all sincerity, Id like to take a moment to remember Chris Penn who died yesterday. He was just 40 years old. Its always upsetting for me when a star I grew up watching in films dies. When I was a kid, Footloose was one of my favorite films (right after the Outsiders) and for the hope and giggles he brought to all us awkward underdog preteens not naturally inclined to the dancing I say he deserves a little time to be remembered. Thanks Chris and happy trails to wherever the journey takes you next.

Beyond being sad about his death I have been working on the thesis today. Got all my photos imported and organized neatly in their little bins. Now I'm about to start going through the sound from this christmas and placing it over the 4710 super 8 footage. Its a quiet night here at the apt., Andre's out projecting for the Proseminar class, and I'm enjoying the silence.

BUY NOTHING SEMESTER!!!

Our friend Maggie sent the below challenge to us earlier tonight and we're taking it! Highly encouraging everyone to consider joining us.

Shannon

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Dear friends,

I've been reading Kalle Lasn's book, "Culture Jam: How to Reverse America's Suicidal Consumer Binge--And Why We Must"--he's the guy that started Adbusters, TV Turnoff Week, and Buy Nothing Day--and while his writing style isn't my favorite, I'm inspired by the content. Last January, after Heal read his book, we decided to try a Buy Nothing Semester, limiting our material purchases to food and toiletries for an entire semester. It sucked, especially in April when it was still ten degrees out and I was sick to death of all my sweaters.

Nevertheless, we're doing it again. And we're inviting you to do it with us! Sound fun? It's a great way to save money (I mean, we bought a *house* after it was over!), a good excuse to gripe, and hey, a little renunciation is good for you every once in a while.

This is a self-motivated, self-monitored kind of thing, and those who join us should feel free to make your own list of exceptions (i.e. gifts, school supplies, gold jewelry)--we have no interest in being Buy Nothing Semester cops. We're just looking for some folks to commiserate with when it's week 10 and all our white t-shirts look yellow, we're bored with our CD collection, and the cats won't stop harassing us about that new catnip mouse they want.

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Interested parties should post their committment in "comments." The sooner the better, given that the semester, and the buying nothing, started today.